anyone have any direct experience with transit connects/ram promasters/metris/etc?

[Yaj Yak]

seriously. they have no issues at all. we have a few that we got new 4-5 years ago that all over over 220k... aside from... brakes? nothing else matters

 

[EmersonHart13]

Werd

 

[Outlaw]

seriously. they have no issues at all. we have a few that we got new 4-5 years ago that all over over 220k... aside from... brakes? nothing else matters

And they go cheap at auction

I can get one in pretty good shape with 150k or so for like $2,500

 

[Yaj Yak]

wait what where

 

[Outlaw]

Just look for equipment auctions or fleet sales. Last sale I was at had like 25ish? 2500/3500 express vans.

 

[Yaj Yak]

crusty rusty?

 

[Outlaw]

Not bad really. Some have some rust starting... but at least another few years left in them before they start to look like shit.

 

[Yaj Yak]

WELL SHOOOT

 

[Jeffs FRC]

one thing worth noting with the chevy express vans...

they are dated AF... get not great mileage but they are reliable AF.

they just keep going

As far as gas mileage, my Transit averages around 5mpg better than my old Econoline. Not positive about my old Chevy vans but I remember them being as horrible on gas as the Econoline.

 

[Yaj Yak]

As far as gas mileage, my Transit averages around 5mpg better than my old Econoline. Not positive about my old Chevy vans but I remember them being as horrible on gas as the Econoline.

our express vans see 11-13mpg or so

 

[Yaj Yak]

4.8/normal wheelbase/ladders & ladder racks/2500's

 

[RICH17]

We have a box truck style GMC van. Has needed two trannies and an engine in the last year and a half........

 

[RICH17]

247k on it

 

[Yaj Yak]

quit driving it like a dick

 

[CMNTMXR57]

Ever thought about finding a mint, or even rebuilt Astro?

When GM stopped them, I was working for a fleet management company and there was a sudden rush by customers to snap up all that they could. What they couldn't get new, they were sent to rehabbing companies (similiar to police/taxi rehabbers), and then people bought/leased those.

But otherwise, yea, in agreement on the Express/Savana vans.

 

[Yaj Yak]

[MENTION=7801]cmntmxr57[/MENTION] you'd be proud im legit trying to find a ram caravan.

you win this round creeper.

 

[CMNTMXR57]

 

[Yaj Yak]

 

[CMNTMXR57]

 

[EmersonHart13]

You made the best choice.

 

[Kensington]

My buddy used to manage a Firestone that got a ton of the Ram Promasters in for service from rental places. He said they were absolute nightmares, and are constantly in for brakes or other front suspension problems. He said by 15K, most are in for a complete brake overhaul. If it has the diesel (this was a year or so ago, so may have changed) the oil changes are outrageously expensive, because the only spec'd oil you can get in the country is from the dealer.

I've heard issues with the smaller transits, especially the 1st gens, for trans problems, and being way underpowered. I think the trans issue was resolved, but the underpowered issue, I'm not sure. Most of my vendors are either in Caravan's or still rocking old Econolines or Express'

 

[LikeABauce302]

I'm very familiar with the diesel Promaster. It is basically a Fiat Ducato that was adapted for the US. The engine bay is incredibly cramped. If any sort of engine work needs to be done, the subframe has to be dropped. Also, as mentioned above, fluids and parts may be hard to get because the engine came straight from the European market and was adapted for the US.